AI Daps Awards

Ahern Daps Awards Criteria

Pastor of the Year: This award is conferred upon a pastor with at least three years of pastoral experience and who is actively engaged in community activism.

Professional of the Year: This award is conferred upon an individual with at least three years of professional experience in their respective field and who is actively engaged as a community activist.

Educator of the Year Award: This prestigious award is presented to an educator with a minimum of three years of experience in education and demonstrates a commitment to community activism.

Student of the Year Award is conferred upon high school seniors, college freshmen, or sophomores. Preference is given to high school seniors who plan to attend a Historically Black College or University (HBCU) or are currently attending an HBCU. All nominees will be evaluated equally, ensuring a selection process that is both fair and inclusive.

Reporter of the Year: This award is conferred upon an individual who has demonstrated excellence in reporting on African American cultural and historical news and has held a reporting position for at least three years.

Ministry of the Year: This award recognizes a religious ministry or community organization that exemplifies a profound spirit of love and compassion, as outlined in Matthew 25:40.

Community Service Advocacy Award: This award acknowledges an individual who demonstrates active involvement in various facets of community life, exemplifying a commitment to service and advocacy.

The H.R. Mills Black Culture Award is for individuals or organizations actively preserving and promoting African American culture and history within their communities. This accolade recognizes the significant contributions to the enrichment of cultural heritage and underscores the importance of fostering historical awareness.

Each nominee is evaluated based on five key criteria: Academic Achievement, School Involvement, Church Involvement, Community Involvement, and Organizational Affiliations.

To nominate someone, please send a biography of the nominee and a brief explanation of why you believe they deserve the award to aherninc@comcast.net.

Pastor of The Year
Elder Ventrus Norfolk
Mt. Olive Baptist Church Assembly
Morristown, TN

Educator of The Year
Dr. Cerrone Foster, ETSU Professor
Johnson City, TN

Ministry of The Year
Central Baptist Church Food Pantry
Kingsport, TN

H R Mills Black Culture Award
Black In Appalachia, William Ison II, Founder, Whitesburg, TN

AM Reporter of The Year
Ms. Vivian Shipe
Knox County Reporter
Receiving her award is board member Jacqueline Collins

Professional of The Year
Rev. Preston Thompson
Vice-President First Horizon Bank
Morristown, TN

Student of The Year
Brooklyn Ringersma
Johnson City, TN

Community Service Advocacy Award
N Her Footsteps, Karen & Keisha Gillis, Jefferson City, TN

AM Contributor of The Year
Mrs. Amy Roper
Bethel Baptist Church Secretary
Morristown, TN